By Azi Paybarah 6/22/11 7:43pm

same-sex marriage

Governor Cuomo says there are "no obstacles" in his talks with Republicans. (photo credit: azi paybarah / observer)

Andrew Cuomo: No Obstacles in Marriage Negotiation with Republicans

Governor Cuomo is staying positive about his ongoing negotiations with Republicans who fear how religiously affiliated organizations will be impacted by the same-sex marriage bill the governor is pushing.

“We have not hit any obstacles,” Cuomo said of his talks with three undecided Republican State Senators who want to ensure religiously affiliated groups are not forced to service or recognize gay couples.

Cuomo, speaking to reporters outside his second floor office, said he and the three Republican State Senators he’s been meeting with “came up with more language” for the bill. Those Senators have taken the language back to the conference for consideration. Read More

By Azi Paybarah 6/22/11 5:44pm

same-sex marriage

Anthony Falzaano said he was "healed" from the gay lifestyle after two years of therapy. (photo credit: azi paybarah / observer)

Without A Vote So Far, a Marriage Opponent Sees Hope

An opponent of  same-sex marriage said the storm of protesters who have descended on the Capitol have stalled a gay marriage bill from passing.

“On Friday, this thing would have passed,” said Anthony Falzarano, a self-described former homosexual who has come to Albany to lobby against the passage of same-sex marriage. “Finally, the church has woken up and literally, you’re going to see about 250 Christians here in about an hour. And, senators know, election year is next year.”

“We’ve been watching every senator coming out,” said Falzarano, standing down the hall from Republican State Senate Leader’s office. “They’ve been seeing us.” Read More

By Azi Paybarah 6/22/11 2:30pm

same-sex marriage

Amendments to Marriage Bill Taking Shape, Vote Uncertain

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said he has seen the proposed changes to the same-sex marriage bill that could address Republicans demands to protect religiously affiliated organizations from discrimination lawsuits and financial penalties if they deny services to gay couples.

After a two-hour closed door meeting with Governor Cuomo and the Republican State Senate Leader, Silver told reporters he’s seen the chapter amendments, but said there was no final deal on that issue. Read More

By Reid Pillifant 6/22/11 1:10pm

Labor Pains

Cuomo and CSEA Cut a Deal

Andrew Cuomo and CSEA — the union that represents 66,000 state workers — have reached a deal that will help the union avoid impending layoffs.

The five-year agreement calls for no increase in base wages over the first three years, and a two percent wage increase over the fourth and fifth years.

Danny Donohue, CSEA’s Read More

By Reid Pillifant 6/22/11 12:20pm

2012

Kathy Hochul Returns the Favor, Emails for Gillibrand

When Kathy Hochul first emerged as the Democratic candidate in the heavily-Republican 26th Congressional District, one of her early supporters was Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who gave $1,000 from her Empire PAC.

As the race progressed, Gillibrand sent out fundraising emails on Hochul’s behalf, and even ventured to the Buffalo area to campaign with Hochul.

Now, Read More

By Azi Paybarah 6/22/11 11:34am

same-sex marriage

batali

Mario Batali Tries to Cook Up a Vote in Albany

A spokesman for the Republican State Senate conference said GOP lawmakers are discussing details of rent regulations and mandate relief, not same-sex marriage. That would mean the progress legislative leaders announced yesterday are not finalized and could be far from completed.

Mario Batali, the famed chef, is in the Capitol building and said he would try convincing “anybody who will listen to me” to support the bill. I asked if he scheduled any meetings with Republican State Senators.

“I just arrived 10 minutes ago and discovered elevator number 6 and elevator number 5 are exactly the same,” he said. Later, I asked what he thought would happen to Cuomo if this passes.

“I think Cuomo will be successful in the long run no matter how this vote goes,” Batali said.

By Azi Paybarah 6/22/11 10:47am

same-sex marriage

today sign

Today?

Pushing for a vote, same-sex marriage advocates outside Skelos’ office hold signs that say, simply, “today.”

Cuomo is now pushing for a vote too. Skelos swatted down that idea, saying Cuomo “changed his tune” on the timing.

By Azi Paybarah 6/22/11 9:52am

same-sex marriage

Republican Says Cuomo 'Changed His Tune' on Timing Marriage Vote

Yesterday, Governor Cuomo said New Yorkers “are entitled” to see their legislators vote on whether to legalize same-sex marriage.

This morning, Republican State Senate Leader Dean Skelos said that’s different from what the governor initially wanted.

“I think the governor at one time said he didn’t want a vote on marriage unless it was going to pass,” Skelos said, walking into his office this morning. “So, he’s changed his tune. But we haven’t conferenced that issue, and at some point, we will.”

Yesterday, I asked Cuomo if he had changed his strategy on when to call for a vote on same-sex marriage. The governor said that by having 31 publicly declared votes, one shy needed to pass it, he is basically where he needed to get.

By Azi Paybarah 6/22/11 7:57am

suggested reading

Lawmakers pose for photographs Tuesday afternoon, in Albany. (photo credit: azi paybarah / obsever)

Morning Read: A Deal on Rent, A Question on Marriage

Outside Income: Lots of it, for Washington DC staffers. [Brody Mullins and Danny Yadron / WSJ]

2009: Sheekey knew about Weiner’s “kinky ways” and used it to get him out of 2009 race. [Page Six]

Opposition: Conservative Party chairman calling Republican State Senators. [AP]

Fear: Republican Alesi, “The longer things drag on in Albany — and this will be last vote if it’s taken — the more I worry about it.” [Joseph Spector / Democrat and Chronicle]

Marriage: “I don’t know how you stop a vote from happening,” said one Republican State Senator. [Tom Precious / Buffalo News]

Marriage: Libous says GOP to decide “over the next 24 to 48 hours” whether same-sex marriage gets voted on. [Jimmy Vielkind / Times Union]

Rent Deal: “The rent deal appeared to fall well short of what many Democrats and tenant activists had hoped for.” [Thomas Kaplan and Nick Confessore / New York Times]

Rent Deal: However long rent regulations are renewed for, same goes for tax cap. [Joseph Spector / Democrat and Chronicle]

Rent Deal: 1,500 apartments a year could be prevented from deregulation under the deal. [Jacob Gershman and Eliot Brown / WSJ]

Rent Deal: This is not real rent reform — this is crumbs,” said one tenant advocate. [Glenn Blain and Ken Lovett / Daily News]

Rent Deal: Editors note rent protections extend to people making $200,000 annually, same income level thought would have triggered the millionaire’s tax. [NY Post]

City Budget: Tap into the mayors reserve fund. [Juan Gonzalez / Daily News]

Taxis: Why Bloomberg was more effective going through Albany, than the City Council. [Michael Grynbaum and Christine Haughney / New York Times]

Still Born: Legislature approves giving certificate of still birth. [Deborah Young / SI Advance]

Poughkeepsie: Democrat of the Year is Randall Johnson. [Poughkeepsie Journal]

Expats: Fellowship of Unassimilated Manhattanites in Exile who are stuck in DC, courtesy of Pia Catton. [Monica Hesse / Washington Post]